KBB.com Consumer Reviews

Overall4.7Out of 5

Great Car Until The Infotainment Issue

By Mazda Owner | on Wednesday, August 14, 2019

3.0

I bought this car used at about 50k miles and it was great the first year. Everything was fine until the infotainment system started acting up and went into this continuous reboot loop. It seems that this is a common issue from reading forums and Mazda should have had this recalled. If you enjoy listening to music on bluetooth and radio, this can become very annoying. I love listening to music while driving so this is a big issue. The dealership will charge you just to check what the issue is. Mazda should have done a better job and not use cheap parts so that wouldn't have become an issue. Hopefully the newer models are better.…

So much fun to drive ❤️

By LB | on Monday, May 20, 2019

4.0

My hatchback is a zippy little thing that handles like a go-cart, has as much storage as most crossover SUVs and parks in the tiniest spaces like a compact car. I’ve never had a vehicle that checks so many boxes without sacrificing comfort, quality and styling.
Before test-driving the Mazda3, I was nearly sold on getting a Honda Fit. I was in the market to find a newer, more functional replacement for my 2006 Nissan Sentra, which had seen better days and had nearly 125k miles on it at that point. Honestly, I wasn’t nuts about the Fit, but it seemed to have all the features I needed. So I was gonna bite the bullet and buy what my boyfriend referred to as “the Honda baby bootie” (because of its decidedly unsexy silhouette) when my boss emailed me a link to the Mazda3 hatchback with the subject line “heart eyes emoji.”
Not only did the Mazda handle better and offer a more refined look/feel, but it also was priced $1500 less than the Honda. So, it was a no-brainer for me!
Now, nearly two years into ownership, I’m still just as thrilled with my Mazda3 as the day I drove it off the lot. Plus, I just found out I can have Apple CarPlay installed in my 2016 model, which officially checks everything off the wishlist I had when I first decided to replace my old Nissan. I’m set to pay it off in just under a year, and then I intend to drive this thing forEVER! (Or until I replace it with another Mazda, hehe — I’m definitely a convert now.)…

Wonderful driving dynamics, classy interior

By Steve | on Friday, December 07, 2018

5.0

This is my first Mazda product. Years ago, I’ve test driven and was interested in the Mazdaspeed 3 hot-hatchback; however due to older Mazda’s lack of refinement, I’ve purchased VW Golf GTIs instead. After 2 VW Golf GTIs; a MK5, and a 2012 MK6, I’ve decided it was time to transition to a more affordable and fuel-efficient vehicle for my tedious daily commute. Initially, I’ve thought of the Volkswagen 1.4/1.8 tsi Golf; however, I wasn’t crazy about the thought of using only premium fuel and more importantly, the never-ending laundry list of potential part failures and preventative maintenance I’d need to dedicate my wallet and time into. It’s clear Mazda is different. When casually chatting with VW guys, they go through a list of things that need to be checked and replaced to prevent catastrophic failure. When doing the same with Mazda guys, or even their parts/service department; it’s clear the most basic fluids and checks are all that’s needed. Me being a shocked VW guy, pushed a Mazda tech further, only to have him tell me a story about a 2014 Mazda 3 he saw a few weeks prior that had 60k miles on the clock and the owner was oblivious to the fact that he needed oil changes since buying the car new. Of course, it had major sludge buildup and no oil left; but amazingly the tech mentioned the car made it to the dealer on its own power!
Enter the Mazda 3. It’s considerably simpler mechanically than my prior VW. That’s a good thing. For example, my Touring trim didn’t have fog lights. To install, Mazda includes all the needed factory parts in a kit with a simple instruction manual. Basic common tools are all that’s needed. The best part, the car is pre-wired from the factory! A simple hour from reading the manual is all it took to install the parts. The NA engine is also very fuel efficient. My weekly commute which combines mostly highway driving, averages 36MPG. Also, driving feedback is responsive and the chassis is stiff and stable. Even though it’s not spirited like a tuned VW Gti, it still gives me a sense of joy taking her around twisty country or mountain roads. Mazda did a wonderful job tuning the chassis. I just wished they’ve offered a MazdaSpeed hot hatch variant.
The interior is by far years ahead of the Mazda’s of past. There’s use of soft touch plastics. The infotainment system is controlled by a jog dial akin to BMWs and Mercedes. The fit and finish of the materials are years above their older versions.
Now onto the bad:
While the more simplistic naturally aspirated Skyactiv engine is fuel efficient and provides adequate power, it is quite noisy and chatty at highway speeds. Also, regrettably, I’ve purchased an automatic transmission instead of a manual since my fiancé wasn’t keen on learning to drive a stick. The automatic gearbox is smooth around town, however, at highway speed and acceleration can be slightly jerky since it seems like it has issues picking a proper gear.
I also do not like the seats. They’re comfortable for short distances, however, I find it impossible to adjust the seat bolstering right. Also, the bottom cushion is a little too short for my legs. I’m 5’8”, and I would like to see about 2-3” more of forward leg support. They are sporty, but honestly, I miss the sport seats from my old GTI. I think I’m bias since I’m spoiled by the wonderful ergonomics VW offers in their seating.
Overall, this is a wonderful car that’s reliable, fun to drive, fuel efficient, and feels more upscale than expected. I highly recommend!…

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